UPDATE 2-European shares rise ahead of crucial Brexit trade talks

(Updates to close)
* UK PM, EC chief to meet in Brussels at 1930 GMT
* German exports rise less than expected in Oct
* Signify slips after flagging FY revenue drop
* STM plunges, postpones $12 billion annual sales target by
a year

(For a live blog on European stocks, type LIVE/ in an Eikon
news window)
By Susan Mathew
Dec 9 (Reuters) - European shares on Wednesday ended off
session highs as euphoria over a potential U.S. fiscal stimulus
and vaccine optimism subsided, with investors awaiting the
outcome of make-or-break Brexit trade talks.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX closed at its
highest since February but trimmed gains to finish up 0.3%.
MKTS/GLOB
London's export-heavy FTSE 100 .FTSE shaved its 1% jump in
the session to end 0.1% higher as the pound GBP= firmed ahead
of a meeting between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels
at 1930 GMT. GBP/ .L
The last ditch attempt at a deal to govern around $1
trillion in annual trade comes after talks so far failed. Even
as officials sounded skeptical of an agreement just three weeks
ahead of Britain's exit from the European Union, analysts held
out hope.
"While one should not expect ... Johnson to make any inroads
with Von der Leyen tonight ... the addition of respective
negotiators Frost and Barnier to the guest list is a positive
signal," said Oliver Brennan, senior macro strategist at TS
Lombard.
"We retain our view that in the end, a (free trade
agreement) is inevitable."
Failure to secure a deal would clog borders, upset financial
markets and disrupt delicate supply chains across Europe and
beyond
Germany's DAX .GDAXI closed up 0.5%, but retreated from a
three-month peak.
Data showed German exports rose less than expected in
October, but foreign trade still gave Europe's largest economy a
boost at the start of the fourth quarter as it struggles to
avoid slipping into a double-dip contraction.
Gains in Europe were led by autos .SXAP , while the tech
sector .SX8P lost, dragged down by a 12% slide in chipmaker
STMicroelectronics STM.MI after it postponed its $12 billion
annual sales target by a year to 2023. STM's Paris listed shares STM.PA also dropped 12% pulling
France's main index .FCHI 0.3% lower.
Eyes on Thursday will also be on the outcome of the European
Central Bank meeting with more emergency bond buying and cheap
liquidity for banks expected.
But analysts at JPMorgan say given asset purchase programs
are nearing self-imposed limits, the euro zone may need more
fiscal support. The 750 billion euro European Recovery Fund yet
to be agreed on might still prove insufficient to generate a
return to pre-pandemic GDP levels in 2021, they said.
Among other individual stocks, lighting company Signify NV
LIGHT.AS , slid 4.2% after a downbeat revenue forecast.
Greek stocks .ATG rose 0.6%, up for the 14th straight
session, their longest winning streak ever.